Replies to 'Ending Toxic Friendships'

Thank you Jen for your very sweet message. I am feeling better due to the fact that I have supportive messages (like yours), and I have been doing some research. I have read both books by Dr. Phil. (I am sort of a reading freak-- I read like other people eat...haha) The more I research, examine and think about my situation the more I have come to realize that these women are just people that are into using other people.  

I feel 100% better about the fact that this relationship is over because I realize that I didn't lose a friend-- I lost a leech, a pretender, and drama-queen. As mean as it sounds, I have had to understand that this person has done this to countless people. I just got in touch with at least 3 other people who have been hurt by Danielle and her mother in similar manner. It seems (as the evidence from my research and soul-searching falls into place) that they are Serial Toxic Friends. They use people, and then drop them amoungst accusations that the person they used is horrible.  

It makes me feel better to know that I am not alone in the way these women treated me. That there is a whole handful of other people who have had similar experiences with these people. I am really and truly working past being angry at Danielle, and have progressed to the point where I feel really bad for her.  

I look back at her and how she behaved and I realize-- that she never had anyone as her close friend, she never had anyone to talk to-- she is almost emotionally and mentally incapable of maintaining relationships with people she can't suck dry. The bell rings and I realize that I never really knew her and that the person she was in front of me was an act. She and her mother are very sad, lonely people. 

I am going to take Jen's advice and rejoice in all my family and friends that love me. I have best friends of 8 years (all 10 of us grew up together on the same street), my Best Friend of almost 15 years (we met in 1rst grade!), my boyfriend of 3 years and my twin brother. I have plenty of love and encouragement to sustain me and the loss of this girl in my life is a mere blip on the radar.  

Thank you to Jen and the other people on here that have helped me to realize this. You pulled me out of a hole-- and it is very much appreciated.